Kyle Hawkins

Kyle Hawkins is the former head coach of the German National Men's U-19 lacrosse team, and former head coach of the University of MissouriMen'sLacrosse team. In May 2006, he discussed his sexual orientation with several media outlets, including the New York Times and MSNBC.com after having revealed to the university and team that he was gay. In April 2007, the story again made media waves with an Associated Press story featured on MSNBC.com. Hawkins was named the first openly gay man coaching an intercollegiate men's team sport by ESPN.

Background

Hawkins was born in 1970 and brought up as a devout Southern Baptist in the St. Louis, Missouri suburb of Kirkwood, Missouri. He attended Arizona State University where he was the president of a Southern Baptist student group. After college, he spent time as a high school teacher where he began coaching lacrosse. While working as a history teacher at Hazelwood Central High School, Hawkins also coached football. Some of the football players approached with interest in starting a lacrosse team in the offseason. They needed a coach, and Hawkins volunteered to coach the new team at Hazelwood Central.

Playing With Fire

In a brand new place, brand new lifeBrand new line between what's wrong and what's rightAnd now you're messing 'round with something newWhat do you expect me to do? 'Cause you'rePlaying with fire (Don't know what to do) Well you'rePlaying with fire (You look like a fool) You'rePlaying with fire (Don't know which way's up or down)Don't come running to me when you hit the groundFrom the farthest shores to the nearest seasFrom the places you go 'till the people you meetAnd now you're messing 'round with someone newWhat do you expect me to do? 'Cause you'rePlaying with fire (Don't know what to do) Well you'rePlaying with fire (You look like a fool) You'rePlaying with fire (Don't know which way's up or down)

Kyle Hawkins

Kyle Hawkins is the former head coach of the German National Men's U-19 lacrosse team, and former head coach of the University of MissouriMen'sLacrosse team. In May 2006, he discussed his sexual orientation with several media outlets, including the New York Times and MSNBC.com after having revealed to the university and team that he was gay. In April 2007, the story again made media waves with an Associated Press story featured on MSNBC.com. Hawkins was named the first openly gay man coaching an intercollegiate men's team sport by ESPN.

Background

Hawkins was born in 1970 and brought up as a devout Southern Baptist in the St. Louis, Missouri suburb of Kirkwood, Missouri. He attended Arizona State University where he was the president of a Southern Baptist student group. After college, he spent time as a high school teacher where he began coaching lacrosse. While working as a history teacher at Hazelwood Central High School, Hawkins also coached football. Some of the football players approached with interest in starting a lacrosse team in the offseason. They needed a coach, and Hawkins volunteered to coach the new team at Hazelwood Central.